Environmental Leader

The HSBC Tower in downtown Mexico City is the first building in Latin America to receive LEED Gold certification from the Mexico Green Building Council, TreeHugger reports.

HSBC achieved the rating by implementing improved energy efficiency measures, improved water usage and waste water technologies, and waste management.

The HSBC’s Mexico City offices are equipped with environmentally friendly, recycled furniture and the building is equipped with Latin America’s largest green roof and a water treatment plant.

Last year, HSBC said it would spend $90 million over five years on a “Global Environmental Efficiency Program” to reduce the bank’s environmental impact through a series of initiatives, including the introduction of renewable energy technology, water and waste reduction programs and employee engagement.

The HSBC Financial Group said it hopes to achieve a minimum of LEED-Gold certification or equivalent in 50 of its major buildings by 2011, and it plans to green 1,400 other buildings and branches throughout Mexico over the next 10 years.

HSBC Holdings was one of the top two highest scoring banks in Ceres’ analysis of climate change governance practices of 40 of the world’s largest financial institutions.

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